Sec. 8-14A. Energy Performance Standards for County Buildings.

1. In this section, "county building" means any building for which the county government finances all or part of the cost of construction.
2. All county buildings contracted for design after September 1, 1985, must meet the energy performance standards required under this section.
3. The county executive must adopt regulations under method (2) of section 2A-15 of this Code to establish:

1. Minimum building energy performance standards that meet or exceed the energy performance standards established by the State of Maryland under article 78A, Annotated Code of Maryland;
2. A procedure for evaluating and monitoring the appropriateness and effectiveness of the standards;
3. A procedure for evaluating building life cycle costs during the design development phase; and
4. An incentive program which gives the county executive the discretion to award bonuses if the building actually performs better than the energy performance standards required under this section.

4. The director of the department of facilities and services may grant a variance or modification of an energy performance standard if:

1. The architect applies for the variance or modification in writing; and
2. The director of the department of facilities and service gives notice of an a chance to comment on the application to:

1. The county council;
2. The department of environmental protection; and
3. The energy conservation advisory committee. (1985 L.M.C., ch. 47, Section 1.)

1. Variances. When there are practical difficulties and undue hardship involved in carrying out structural or mechanical provisions of this chapter, the director may vary or modify such provision upon application of the owner or his representative; provided, that the spirit and intent of the law shall be observed and public welfare and safety be assured.
2. Written application. The application for modification and the final decision of the director shall be in writing on a form approved by the department, shall include the names and address of the owners of all property contiguous or opposite to the property described on sad application and shall be officially recorded with the application for the permit in the permanent records of the department.
3. Notice of hearing. Within seven (7) days of the filing of the application provided for herein, the director shall cause to be mailed to the owners of any property contiguous or opposite to the property described in said application and, in his discretion, to other interested parties, organizations or agencies of copy of such application and the date, time and place fixed for the hearing.